My very special Zodiac...

[HeRo]

Hello all!

First thing first, thanks alot for a great forum!

I would like to show you guys my Zodiac watch. I bought it in Lausanne, Switzerland one year ago. It's from a small jewelry shop, which also used to sell watches. I had bought an engagement ring for my girlfriend, and then when we came back to get the ring resized, we asked if they still had any watches.

Then she showed me this very classic, mecanique watch in 18k gold apparantly from the 1960'ies. We both loved it, and I bought it as an engagement-watch  The amazing thing is, I'm the first owner! It has been in the shop for years and years... So it's in absolute mint condition!

I've tried to collect more information, but it's been almost impossible. I have tried emailing Zodiac several times, without any answer. But of course - Zodiac today, isn't what it was before...

Is there anyone who have seen this model before? It resembles the Omega De Ville quite a lot. Serial number is 539647.

I've would really appreciate any information or comment you have

- Henrik

[Butch]

That is definitely late 1960's or 70's, I can tell by the fact the date window is square. The serial numbers on the solid gold cases were a different series than the regular serial numbers for non-solid gold watches. I quickly looked through some of  the catalogs on www.ZodiacCatalogs.com but did not find anything EXACTLY like it. About the best I can do here.

NICE watch! Given the price of gold from when it was made vs. today's gold prices, the store made a "killing" when they sold this one to you. Even if you got a great deal! Is the leather band stamped Zodiac? Did you get the boxes and paperwork from Zodiac with it?

[HeRo]

Thanks alot for your reply Butch!

Unfortunately I didn't get the box or the paperwork... What does it mean that the serial numbers was a different series from the regular?

Is it normal not to find the exact model in the catalogs? I would think it must be possible to retrieve a modelname or similar... Is it possible to contact someone at Zodiac who could have information regarding vintage Zodiacs?

And I think you're very right about the store making a nice deal, considering the gold price in the late 60's compared to these days :-)

[HeRo]

Oh, and no the leather band is not original...

This is the Omega De Ville I was talking about. Seems pretty similar...

http://www.antiquewatchcouk.com/petespages/coming-soon/9ct-gold-omega-deville-1966-auto-date-/prod_139.html

[Butch]

No, the current brand owner if Fossil and they do not know anything of the previous model, nor much of the history. They tend to direct everyone with questions to me and my web site.

Sure, if I had all the catalogs it would be there, but I do not. Over the past 15 years we have only been able to buy what you see in ZodiacCatalogs.com.

The regular serial numbers on the non-solid gold models are much greater. I THINK around 1960 they started at 1 million. By the mid 70's they were at 2. Based on your model, and others I have seen, the solid gold ones never go over 1 million.